2007 ««« Drink 2025 to 2060.
Deep crimson. Fragrant cedar, herb garden, black cherry and blackberry aromas with mocha, liquorice and grilled nut complexity. Rich, flavourful and sinewy with black cherry, blackberry and cedar flavours, fine-grained al dente textures, an underlying core of sweet fruit and balanced mocha oak complexity. A whack of chalky/gritty tannins at the finish with herb, cola and chinotto notes.
98 percent shiraz, 2 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Magill Estate (Adelaide).
Blue fruits, exotic spice and hints of smoked chocolate reflecting some fancy new oak and distinct barrel ferment notes. The structure dominates the wine. (NR)
Sappy and forward in character with minty dark berry fruit and rather grippy tannins. (FW)
2008 ««««« Drink 2025 to 2060.
Deep crimson. Beautiful dark cherry, blackberry pastille, dark chocolate and mocha aromas with sweet apricot and stone fruit notes. Generously supple and inky with ample blackberry pastille and blackcurrant fruits, fine dense chalky tannins, superb mid-palate buoyancy, underlying mocha notes and long fresh ripe sweet tannins. Finishes chocolaty firm with plenty of liquorice notes. A riper-style Grange with marvellous power and density from a classic Penfolds year.
98 percent shiraz, 2 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Magill Estate (Adelaide). Difficult growing conditions were overcome by meticulous vineyard management and fruit selection from earlier ripening, older vines. Received 100 points from Robert Parker s Wine Advocate.
Animated fresh blueberry, mulberry and incense aromas. Beautifully supple and surprisingly graceful with polished tannins, oak complexity and well-integrated acidity. (NB)
Youthful and exuberant with cassis, bitter chocolate, violet and liquorice characters. Chewy/grippy tannins, superb density and tension. (JR)
2009 ««« Drink 2030 to 2060.
Deep crimson. Intense blackberry, ground coffee and dark chocolate aromas. Rich ripe blackberry, ground espresso and sandalwood flavours with pronounced gritty/sappy tannins and underlying mocha and praline notes. Finishes gravelly firm. A dense and robust maturing Grange.
98 percent shiraz, 2 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Magill Estate (Adelaide).
Rich and powerful, with dense deep rich black and blue fruits, firm chewy tannins and seasoned oak notes. (JR)
Developed balsamic blackberry leather aromas. Fresher on the palate with gamey/meaty notes, firm tannins and integrated savoury oak. (FW)
2010 ««««« Drink 2030 to 2060.
Deep crimson. Intense pure elderberry, blackberry and liquorice aromas with roasted chestnut, vanilla and camomile notes. Plush and densely packed with elderberry, blackberry liquorice flavours, plentiful fine chalky tannins and underlying mocha, vanilla and roasted chestnut oak notes. Finishes chocolaty firm with abundant sweet fruits. Classical, powerful and expressive Grange with superb density, richness and balance. Still needs time to unfold.
96 percent shiraz, 4 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Magill Estate (Adelaide).
Expressive blueberry kirsch dark chocolate notes. Beautifully proportioned palate with lovely density and richness. Best to step back from this. (NB)
Watch this wine closely because it s a very special and important Grange! (PG)
2011 ««« Drink 2025 to 2060.
Deep colour. Fresh dark cherry, plum, liquorice and chinotto aromas with roasted chestnut and biscuit nuances. Inky fresh with dark cherry, plum, roasted coffee, panforte and meaty flavours, sweet fruit notes, dense chalky textures and underlying mocha and biscuit oak notes. Finishes chalky with plentiful new oak complexity. An attractive and elegantly styled Grange transcending the reputation of the vintage.
100 percent shiraz. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Magill Estate (Adelaide).
No doubt time will validate the merits of this under- appreciated Grange, albeit released at only half the volume of an average vintage. Paradoxically, a true collector s item! (PG)
2012 ««««« Drink 2035 to 2060.
Deep crimson. Fresh blackberry, mulberry, mocha and liquorice aromas with vanilla spice and espresso notes. Richly flavoured with plush sweet blackberry, mulberry, liquorice flavours, plentiful fine chalky dense tannins, grilled nut, mocha, vanilla, meaty complexity, superb mid-palate buoyancy, viscosity and integrated fresh acidity. Finishes chocolaty al dente firm. Still elemental in structure with amazing density and richness. A great Grange vintage.
98 percent shiraz, 2 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
Beautifully controlled and restrained with superb black fruit, graphite notes and compact tight porcelain structure. Will steadily reveal itself like a Fabergé egg. (NB)
Full bodied, intense and unrelenting. Masterly management of tannins, oak and high-quality fruit make this an outstanding Grange. (JH)
2013 «««« Drink 2035 to 2060.
Deep crimson. Intense elderberry, aniseed, blackberry, liquorice and iodine aromas with leafy herb garden complexity. Rich, concentrated and densely plush wine with deep-set creamy blackcurrant and blackberry fruits, brambly chalky textures, plentiful dark chocolate, mocha and black coffee notes with pronounced acidity. A firm, brutish wine with sappy tannin notes. Not ready.
96 percent shiraz, 4 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and Magill Estate (Adelaide).
Blueberry, spicy tobacco aromas with pepper, black tea notes. Smooth velvety wine with dark fruit, mocha, dark chocolate flavours. A chewy finish. (JR)
Hugely expansive with blackberries and blueberry compote, rich opulent chocolate flavours, layers of vanilla and smoke and a mass of coating tannins. (FW)
2014 ««««« Drink 2035 to 2070.
Deep crimson. Fresh elemental elderberry, blackberry, sage and aniseed aromas with roasted chestnut, vanilla oak and herb garden notes. Densely packed with concentrated blackberry cassis and dark cherry fruits, fine plentiful chalky/grainy firm tannins, superb mocha and vanilla oak complexity and fine integrated but crunchy acidity. Finishes smooth and velvety. A substantial and multi-layered wine with extraordinary density and balance. Many decades ahead of it.
98 percent shiraz, 2 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra, Clare Valley and Magill Estate (Adelaide).
Sumptuously dark-fruited with plush chocolaty textures. Like a black velvet jewel box where the diamonds will only be seen in years to come. (NB)
Deep-set perfectly ripe plums, quince, cinnamon, star anise, ecclesiastical spices and blacksmith s leather. Compressed and taut with powdered chocolate/fine-grained tannins. (NR)
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